The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-11-12
In A TRAP.
An Adventure with Three Indians
and Two Bears.

had been camped for q month in
the Wind River Mountains, Wyoming,
near the headwaters Of Green River.
beforeI got an Indian alarm. I had
come up from Fort Bridger with pack
mule and plenty Of traps and pro-
visions, and by travelling mostly at
night and taking every pains to hide
my trail had escaped the attention OF
the redskins. Having gained the up
per end Of the valley. 1 found a safe
spot fer the mule and plenty Of game
for my traps. For the first two weeks
/ did not discharge my rifle once. I
was trapping for fur, and what fresh
meat / needed / killed with the bow
and arrow. In twenty-five days 1 had
q mule load Of furs. i had but to set
my traps and wait a little. 1t must
have been years since any one had
hunted or trapped in that valley, for
tho hares would scarcely run away,
and on three or four occasions black
tailed deer stopped at half pistol shot
and gazed at me as II they had never
seen human being before.
The discovery which so vexed and
alarmed me was made early in the
morning. had my camp close in TO
the bsse of the mountains on the east
side Of the valley. while the mule was
hidden on the west side, about opposite.
had inclosed him in about half an
acre Of ground. on which there was a
spring. by building up light brush
fence and by hopping him, and 1t had
been my custom to visit him at least
every other day. My furs were stored
in cave forty rods above my camp as
fast as accumulated. and had
neglected no precaution which expert
ence could suggest. Each morning II
was my custom to climb to q ledge Of
rocks overhanging my camp and take
careful survey of the valley through
field glass which l had carried fol
years. On this occasion / had scarcely
turned the glass down the valley wher
I discovered three Indians, each
mounted. and pack horse following
They were not in war dress, but three
bucks who had come into the valley or
the same errand as myself
Twas boiling mad over the advent o.
my visitors. All my luck was gone In
moment. and l might consider it q
great stroke of fortune il / got Out
alive, and left them my mule and furs
The fellows were ten miles away when
l first sighted them, and / had little
time to reflect on my course. They
would certainly come up the valley a
high ss my camp. and it was certain
that would have to move. The ides
Of giving up all I had gained ani
sneaking of empty-handed was too re
pugnant to be acted on, and after Ihai
spent ten minutes watching the trio.
descended the ledge with firm deter
mipstion not to leave the valley. hat
not yet lighted . fire to prepare my
breakfast. I gathered up all the brands
covered the ashes with leaves and dirt
and worked for quarter Of an hour Il
DELIBERATE all signs Of the camp. M!
furs in the cave must take their chances
It was well hidden spot and the In
dams might or might not discover it
Ny destination was gulch or canyon
mi.e further up the valley, and OF
my side Of it. had twice passed tn
entrance, but had never explored tn
gulch. It doubtless contained som
hiding place or point of advantage
and I would be forced to seek shelte
until knew what the Indians purposes
doing.
The redskins were coming up tn
valley at q slow pace. and had entere
the gulch half an hour before they wer
opposite my camp. Standing at tn
mouth Of the gulch I could see Their
very plainly. From their movements
judged they had never been in the va
ley before. or at least not Is hig
up. While they were not lookin
for signs Of white pen. and Ia
no suspicious Of my presence, thei
hawk-eyes soon made . discover,
They ran on to q footprint an ovel
turned stone. or some other proof I
the presence of human being, and
moment later they swerved across th
valley and entered the very thicks
where my mule was concealed. WI
In for It now. The discovery Of Il
mule would put them on to me, and q
three hunters after game would b.
come three warriors after my scalp.
instantly abandoned all hope Of savin
any Of my property and started of u
the gulch to make my escape throug
the range.
It was rough, dark place ! had g
into In no place was the rift over t.
feet wide, while it narrowed here AZ
there to four or 1--WE. Its sides we,